la|bel

la|bel «LAY buhl», noun, verb, -beled, -bel|ing or (especially British) -belled, -bel|ling.

–noun.

1. a slip of paper, cardboard, metal, or other material attached to anything and marked to show what or whose it is, or where it is to go: »

Can you read the label on the bottle?

2. a word or short phrase used to describe some person, thing, or idea; epithet: »

In winter, Chicago deserves its label of “the Windy City.”

3. a narrow strip of material attached to a document to carry the seal.

4. U.S. an identifying mark or brand: »

The workers were urged by the delegates not to spread rumors that the brewery and its label were to be sold (New York Times).

5. a company producing phonograph records: »

A new label, Washington Records, has made a noteworthy initial release (Better Listening).

6. Architecture. a dripstone or other molding across the top of a door or window, especially one that also extends downward at the sides.

7. Archaic. a narrow band or strip of linen or other cloth, such as a fillet, ribbon, or tassel: »

a knit night-cap…With two long labels button'd to his chin (Bishop Joseph Hall).

8. Heraldry. a narrow band with pendants, used especially to distinguish the oldest son during his father's life.

–v.t.

1. to put or write a label on: »

The bottle is labeled “Poison.”

SYNONYM(S): tag.

2. to describe as; call; name: »

He labeled the boastful boy a liar.

SYNONYM(S): designate.

3. to infuse or treat (a substance) with a radioactive chemical or isotope so that its course or activity can be noted: »

The movement of sugar in plants was studied in Canada by using sugars “labelled” with radioactive carbon (C14) (Harold William Rickelt).

╂[< Old French label; origin uncertain]

–la´bel|er, especially British,

–la´bel|ler, noun.